Rector’s Update: He Who Supplies

Hi Restoration,

‘And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work… He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.’ (2 Corinthians 9:8,10)

This past Sunday, I picked up where Bishop John had left off and talked more about Christian Generosity: that it requires a plan, a shift in focus, and anticipation of results. My favorite part of preparing my sermon was hearing stories from you about opportunities you have had to be generous during the long pandemic months. They were wonderful. I love your desire to give when you see the needs of others. Here is one more: Tomorrow (June 17) is World Refugee Day and a major fund raising day for Restoration Immigration Legal Aid. Here is a story of a recent RILA client and here is a way you can support the good work that RILA does.

Of course, when we think about generosity, we are not just talking about money, we are also talking about the generous use of our time, platform, and talents. As a church, you are so generous with these resources as you serve by leading small groups for all ages, by helping our outreach partners like RILA, and by serving on the team that helps connect people to God during our Sunday liturgies of worship. I explained on Sunday that we are making a fresh start with our list of Sunday volunteers. Sixteen months of pandemic has really changed who is available to serve– some are no longer here, some have moved away and some are not comfortable worshiping in the sanctuary yet. So we are starting with a fresh list. We would love for every person who calls Restoration their church home to have an opportunity to serve on a Sunday as a Scripture reader, greeter, usher, or after-service intercessor. Would you take 30 seconds to let us know that you are interested in serving? Then you can go here and sign up for any open spot. Don’t worry, we will teach you how to do it!

Thank you for the ways you demonstrate your trust that God is able to provide and to make all grace abound to you. I celebrate the way you abound in every good work with the sufficiency that He gives.

Look up! Here is what’s on the horizon:

• Our Nursery Kids’ Small Groups for children who are 3 years old and younger starts on Sunday at both the 9am and 11am services. You can register your child, here. (Lots of room at the 11!).

A reminder that we require face-coverings for every unvaccinated person who is aged 2 and up. This includes our Nursery Kids’ Small Groups. During the six-week pilot of Nursery Kids’ Small Groups, there will be volunteers and paid staff who are not vaccinated, but they will be wearing face-coverings. However, we intend to only have vaccinated volunteers and paid staff for Kids’ Small Groups this fall. We recognize that this is a concern for some parents and we understand. Thus, I want you to know that we are not able to meet that expectation during the 6-week pilot and we hope to do so by the time Kids’ Small Groups start again on September 12. As always, please reach out to me or to Louise Brooks if you have questions or concerns regarding Kids’ Small Groups.

• A Morning of Reflection and Rest on June 26 from 9:15-Noon. This will be a quiet space to say thank you to God and to remember what He has done over the last fifteen months. Please let us know you are coming, here.
• An Afternoon of Pickleball and Picnicking on July 18. The buzz is building for this blockbuster Resto afternoon of grilling, pickleball, lawn games, playground rumpus, chilling and chatting. Let us know you are coming, here. Then write it down as your summer highlight, ’cause it’s gonna be great.

God loves a cheerful giver. We are full of cheer because it’s so fun to give away what you have been given.
Thank you for the ways your generosity is demonstrated in your offerings of money and time to the work God is doing through our church.
“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)

-David